The Americans had their election. Two days ago they voted in Donald Trump. Many cheered. Many cried. Many are celebrating. Many are mourning. America is a nation divided. I don't like Trump but I didn't like Hillary either. I thought she might be safer option though, which should be something coming from a guy who naturally leans to the political right.
The news and social media are reeling from the election results. I am sad, but not for the same reason that many are sad. I'm sad because there are so many in the States who equate 'Republican' with 'Christian' and use the terms interchangeably and that Donald Trump will regrettably become a symbol of Christianity in politics. He may have catered to get the 'Christian vote' but the man is no Christian and both the Pope and numerous Evangelical leaders have called him on it. A man who never backs down, never repents, never apologizes, never compromises, and unashamedly focuses on building walls, creating enmity, personal wealth and sexual gratification is not acting as a Christian ought to act, not be a long shot. In a strange theological turn many are hailing a man of anti-christlike qualities as God's chosen savior of the American people. They are in for a rude awakening.
I wrote a sarcastic post on Facebook about how it was almost time for 'the new president is the anti-christ' season where crazy people took a patchwork of Bible verses out of context to link current events to end-times prophecies but I find myself writing something similar right now. I don't think Donald Trump is 'The Anti-Christ' like what the New Testament talks about. I do think that he is 'an anti-christ' though, a powerful ruler of the world who many look to and will look to for the things they ought to look to Christ for. I see Trump as harming, not helping the Church. Even if he grants American Evangelicals political clout and power it will harm, not help their witness. Anyone drunk on power and any church who colludes with the powers of the world disqualify themselves from what God is calling them into, his own Kingdom, his own transforming and restorative work in the world.
In our Lord's own words we find the sort of people we should be and should be around.
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Turning away the poor and the needy, the widow and orphan, the foreigner, this is not in keeping with how our Lord wants us to act. My fear is that many Evangelical churches will have plenty of opportunity to act as Jesus' hands and feet in faith and humility under the Trump administration but would rather put their faith in politics and policies and ignore their calling to Christ's redemptive work towards the needful other and so show themselves to be a lie.
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